A brief history of Southwyck House

Known locally as the 'Barrier Block,' Southwyck House was built in the early 1980s, with its stark façade created as a result of a proposed motorway scheme above Coldharbour Lane.

The Barrier Block was designed to protect the Somerleyton Estate from the inevitable pollution and traffic noise, which explains its tiny windows and unusual 'zig-zag' design - this was intended to 'bounce' the sound back to the ground.

Land was compulsorily purchased for the motorway but when the road project was finally abandoned the block was already under construction, and thus Brixton ended up with the 'Barrier Block'.